"Yes, _hombre_.
I had forgotten it.
But there is a!ways much talk of offensives."
"Where does this talk come from?"
"Where?
Why from different people.
The officers speak in the cafes in Segovia and Avila and the waiters note it.
The rumors come running.
Since some time they speak of an offensive by the Republic in these parts."
"By the Republic or by the Fascists?"
"By the Republic.
If it were by the Fascists all would know of it.
No, this is an offensive of quite some size.
Some say there are two.
One here and the other over the Alto del Leon near the Escorial.
Have you heard aught of this?"
"What else did you hear?"
"_Nada, hombre_.
Nothing.
Oh, yes.
There was some talk that the Republicans would try to blow up the bridges, if there was to be an offensive.
But the bridges are guarded."
"Art thou joking?" Robert Jordan said, sipping his coffee.
"No, _hombre_," said Fernando.
"This one doesn't joke," the woman said.
"Bad luck that he doesn't."
"Then," said Robert Jordan.
"Thank you for all the news.
Did you hear nothing more?"
"No.
They talk, as always, of troops to be sent to clear out these mountains.
There is some talk that they are on the way.
That they Rave been sent already from Valladolid.
But they always talk in that Way.
It is not to give any importance to."
"And thou," the woman of Pablo said to Pablo almost viciously.
"With thy talk of safety."
Pablo looked at her reflectively and scratched his chin.
"Thou," he said.
"And thy bridges."
"What bridges?" asked Fernando cheerfully.
"Stupid," the woman said to him.
"Thick head. _Tonto_.
Take another cup of coffee and try to remember more news."
"Don't be angry, Pilar," Fernando said calmly and cheerfully.
"Neither should one become alarmed at rumors.
I have told thee and this comrade all that I remember."
"You don't remember anything more?" Robert Jordan asked.
"No," Fernando said with dignity.
"And I am fortunate to remember this because, since it was but rumors, I paid no attention to any of it."